She spun the car in a circle, stopping right beside Michael. He jumped in, and they took off at breakneck speed, the other two cars soon following.
“Where did you learn to drive like that?” Michael asked as he buckled himself into the passenger seat.
“Big brother Luke.” She laughed. “We used to get into a lot of trouble for tearing up the pasture.”
“I’m glad you did. Thanks for the warning back there.”
She glanced at him for a quick second and smiled. “No problem. As soon as I recognized the cop coming toward me, I knew we were in trouble.”
“Yeah, so much for the roadblock. I need to call this in.”
He pulled out his cell phone, dialed a number, and asked for Constable DuShane. “Yeah, Michael Grayson here, FortMacLeod. Blake Northrup informed me that you’re the man I can trust in an emergency…yes, sir. I had your department set up a roadblock to catch a murderer, but it seems the officers were his friends and let him go…yes, they attacked us, but we managed to get away. They are in pursuit…Just a sec.” He put a hand over the mouthpiece and turned toward her. “Think you can get far enough ahead to pull another U-ey and head for Calgary?”
She nodded and floored the gas pedal.
“Yes, sir. We’ll turn back…look forward to meeting you.”
The road widened and she went into action—one swift tug on the emergency brake, her hands fast on the wheel as the car skidded around, headed toward their pursuers. She drove straight at them, even though one had pulled into her lane. Oh, how she’d loved playing chicken as a teen. Even now, the rush of adrenalin pumping through her veins had her speeding forward. At the last minute, both cars moved toward the ditch on either side and allowed her clear passage.
She laughed aloud and rolled down her window to give them the finger.
“Lady, you are one seriously crazy driver.”
She’d forgotten about Michael and glanced in his direction, only to see his face wreathed in smiles and his eyes twinkling brightly. “You loved every minute of it.”
“Darned tootin’! Yes, I did, but it’s a good thing I’m riding with you and not behind you or I’d have to pull you over.”
Merriment settled inside her, much preferable to the dread that had consumed her earlier.
“Too bad you can’t see what I can in the rearview mirror. Those two idiots almost rammed each other pulling U-turns.”
He shifted to look and started laughing. “Guess I missed the fun, but I can picture it easy enough.”
“Michael, can you send someone to check on Dad? I’m worried.”
He thumbed the radio to life. “Grayson to base.”
“Yes, Chief?”
“Any cruisers out near Granum?”
“Yes, sir. Charlie just picked up Scott. They’re on their way back.”
“Have them stop in at my place and check on things. If everything’s all right, tell them to visit until I can return.”
“Roger that, Chief. What’s your ETA?”
“I’m heading north to Calgary but as soon as my rendezvous ends, I’ll be on my way back.”
“Chief?”
“The Audi got through the roadblock. Seems this guy has friends everywhere.”
“Roger. I’ll notify Charlie.”
Michael sat back in his seat. He appeared relaxed, and she wondered what he was thinking.
“Penny for them.”
He grinned as he looked her way. “I’m wondering how much razzing I’ll get when the men find out you rescued me. Plus, how am I supposed to explain you driving the squad car?”
She chuckled. “That’s definitely worth the penny.”
“Glad you think so. There! The roadblock’s up ahead.”
“I see it. Should I slow down?”
“Not yet, but give yourself time to stop without hitting anybody.”
“Gotcha!”
She slammed to a stop in front of the roadblock, then quickly unbuckled as they jumped clear of the car and hid behind the barricade. Sure enough, the oncoming car hit broadside, and the second car slammed into him from behind.
The Calgary cops from the roadblock immediately surrounded the patrol cars and arrested the two men amid brutal protests. Leah stood beside Michael, laughing until her sides ached.
“Grayson? I’m Patrick DuShane. Who’s your driver?”
The voice, coming from right behind her, startled Leah into a quick step sideways. She hadn’t been aware of the man approaching until he’d spoken.
“Leah Manning. Thank you for coming to our rescue,” said Michael.
“Thank you for uncovering two leaks in our department.”
“No problem.”
“How many more Mannings are there? You fellows seem to attract trouble,” he said, smiling as he extended a hand and took hers in his large, warm one.
“I think you’ve probably met the lot of them, from what I’ve heard,” Michael said.
“Except Uncle Cameron. He’s away traveling somewhere,” said Leah. “Luke thinks he might be home for Christmas.”
“I’ll alert the troops.”
DuShane’s comment led to a round of shared laughter.
“I don’t think you need to worry about Uncle Cam. He’s the most practical and reserved of all of us.”
“Good. What’s this about a murderer riding around in an Audi, and how does Miss Manning figure into it?” he asked Michael.
“Roderick Kendall is the man who owns the Audi. Leah lived with him in Vancouver.”
“Who did he kill and when?”
“Alexander Stanton, his best friend, a little over four years ago,” Leah answered.
“Some friend. Did you report it then?”
“No, sir, I couldn’t. He threatened me with the same fate if I told.”
“I see. Grayson, you have her complete statement on record?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And do you believe her story?”
“Yes, sir.”
DuShane paused and looked at her, almost seeming to see right through her, but she stood her ground. Michael believed her, and she held onto that thought.
“One more question. Why have you turned up here at this point and not sooner?”
“I was virtually a prisoner of his from then on, wanting to leave yet unable to. When I finally saw a chance to get away, I took it.”
“And he followed.”
“Exactly.”
“Grayson, can you fax copies of the file to me?” He dug in his wallet and produced a business card, passing it to Michael. “Here’s my card with my personal phone and fax numbers. I’m not sure how Kendall ended up with two of my officers on his payroll, but I’m going to find out. If I can be of service in any other way, let me know.”
“According to Leah, he has quite a few higher ups in his pocket. It’s all in the report. If anything new turns up, I’ll be sure to keep you informed,” said Michael. “For now, I’d settle for a ride home. I’ll call a tow truck for the squad car.”
“Grab what you need from your car and I’ll take you myself.”
“Thanks.”
Michael pocketed his cell phone while Leah retrieved her purse then they followed DuShane to his car. When they arrived at the Grayson spread, Charlie’s cruiser was parked by the house.
DuShane turned his head and raised an eyebrow in question.
“Just a precaution.”
He nodded, the corner of his mouth turning up in a wry smile. “I’ll look forward to receiving that file.”
Michael grinned. “You’ll have it within the hour. Thanks for the lift.” He jumped out and opened the rear door for Leah, then took her arm as they walked to the house.
“You ready for this?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she said.
They entered the kitchen to find Charlie and Scott seated at the table with Winnie and her father. Lucas stood to greet them.
“Now this is a surprise. Must be our day for company,” he said, sho
oting a shrewd glance at Michael. “Come sit here beside me, Leah.”
“Any coffee left or did these two drink it all?”
“I just made a fresh pot,” said his mother. “Have a seat and I’ll pour you one.”
“No need, Mama. I can get it. Leah, want a coffee?”
“Yes, please.”
“Leah, have you met Scott and Charlie?” asked Winnie.
“No, I haven’t. Nice to meet you,” she said with a smile aimed at both. She felt nervous and didn’t want an audience when she told her father about her life since she’d been gone.
“If you guys have had enough coffee, you can head out. I’ll be behind you shortly.”
Charlie nodded and rose to his feet. “Thank you for the coffee and pastries, Mrs. M.”
“Yeah, thanks,” said Scott. “Mighty tasty.”
“You’re more than welcome to stop in anytime you’re out this way,” said Winnie as she showed them to the door.
After the door closed, Michael turned to Leah. “Did you want to speak with your father privately? Mama and I can go in the other room.”
“No, it’s all right. Winnie needs to hear this, too.”
She waited until they sat down before she began. “Daddy, you remember how I always wanted to be a dancer? How you paid for all those lessons and drove me back and forth to class for years?”
He nodded.
“When I left here, I got a dance gig with a small theatre group in Vancouver. Through that, I got noticed by a talent scout. He was so handsome and charming. I never thought for a moment that he wasn’t being totally honest. He produced a contract, and I signed without reading it. Dumb, I know.”
“So you danced. What went wrong?”
“I’d signed a contract to dance at a topless club.”
Winnie gasped in shock.
“A stripper? My daughter a stripper? Why didn’t cha walk out when ya found out what kind of place it was?”
“I tried, but he said I’d never dance again, and they’d sue for breach of contract. So I danced.”
“Lord love a duck! Thank God yer mother’s not alive to hear this. What were ya thinkin’?”
He stood and paced the room, anguish and disappointment clear to see on his face.
“I thought since I’d made my bed, it was up to me to make the best of it.”
“Too proud to call home and ask for help,” he accused.
“Yeah, that, too.”
He sat back down. “How long was this contract for?”
“Five years. My contract expired a few months ago.”
“So that’s why you’ve returned home.”
“Not exactly.” She continued her story, watching his face for any and all signs of emotion.
“I knew it! I knew when you wouldn’t leave an address or phone number that somethin’ was wrong. If’n I’d known he was holdin’ you hostage, I would’ve gone out there and brought you home myself.”
“Don’t you see? That’s the last thing I wanted. You would’ve ended up dead, too.”
“Leah, you’re my daughter, my own flesh and blood. If’n it took my dyin’ to set you free, I would’a done it in a heartbeat.”
“Oh, Daddy! I’m so sorry I’ve disappointed you.”
“You stood up for what you felt you had to. How can a man be disappointed in that?” He put an arm around her and hugged her close. “So now that man, the father of your child, is makin’ threats. What are we doin’ about that, Michael?”
Lucas and Winnie sat in silence while Michael related the day’s events.
“So that’s why Charlie showed up here. I should’a known,” said Lucas. “So what now? We pack our bags and head for Thunder Creek?”
“That would make it much easier to provide protection for everybody,” Michael said in agreement. “Would you mind?”
“Hell, no! Not if it means being on hand to protect my baby girl. Winnie, luv, need help packin’?”
“No, dear. I think I have it down pat. Back in a few minutes.”
“I need to make a stop at the detachment in FortMacLeod. We’ll detour that way and pick up my vehicle. I’d best pack a change of clothes while I’m here.”
“I’ll check with Joe while we’re waiting and let him know where we’ll be,” said Lucas.
“Good. Be right back,” Michael said as he left the room.
When Michael returned, he showed her the picture of his ex-partner.
She shook her head. “No, I’m glad to say I don’t recognize him.”
“Good.” Michael smiled. “I didn’t think you would, but I like to cover all my bases before I make a move.”
Soon everything was ready, and they piled into Lucas’s crew cab for the drive to Thunder Creek via FortMacLeod. Leah was proud of her father for taking the news so well. He could’ve said “I told you so,” or disowned her, as she’d feared, but he hadn’t done either of those things.
Her life had certainly veered off on a much different path from what she’d envisioned years before, but she was glad to have survived. The experience served its purpose in bringing her to her senses. Home is definitely where her heart had been all this time.
Chapter Six
Luke called the wranglers to a meeting was rather redundant. He informed them of Leah's return, and they were expecting trouble. They’d already known both, seeing as how she was standing beside her brother and the Crime Scene Unit had spent the morning there gathering evidence, but to have it spelled out was important to Luke.
“I want them to be prepared. Those guys will be back. That shot at Cal wasn’t just an idle threat, Leah,” he said as she accompanied Luke back to the house.
“Yes, I know. Will the wranglers all stay, or do you think some will want to leave?” she asked worriedly.
Luke grinned. “They’re staying. Most of them know you and are more than willing to help out. The few we’ve hired since you’ve been gone proved their loyalty in protecting us earlier this year. Everything will be okay.”
He wrapped his strong, muscled arms around her in a comforting hug, which was more than welcome.
“I hate that I’ve put everyone I love in danger.”
“Well, I love the fact that you’ve come home when you needed help, although I wish it had been sooner. When I think of what you’ve gone through, alone and afraid, I’d like to have that bastard’s throat between my hands.”
“Well, I’m glad you don’t.”
“You don’t still care for him, do you?” he asked as he held her slightly away from him to look at her face.
“No, I just don’t want to have to visit you in jail.”
He laughed. “You won’t. We have the law on our side. Remember?”
“How can I forget with Michael dogging my footsteps everywhere I go? I’m home, and I can’t even take Beauty for a ride. I’m so happy you kept my horse for me.”
“She’s here and in excellent shape. Maybe we can saddle up and go for a ride tomorrow. We’ll take some wranglers with us for extra protection.”
“Really? Oh, thank you, Luke! Roddy doesn’t ride so I don’t think there would be any trouble.”
“Maybe not, but a rifle shot travels a fair distance. We’d still need to be careful.”
“Yes, of course.” They’d entered Luke’s office, and she surveyed the room that used to be her father’s study. “I like what you’ve done to this room. It’s cozy. When did you install the bookshelves?”
“After Dad remarried and moved in with Winnie, I redid the room. I lived alone at the time, and the living room felt too cold, impersonal, so I made this my sanctuary. I revamped the fireplace, added the bookcases and a couple of easy chairs and spent many evenings in here.”
“Are you happy, Luke?”
“Utterly and completely. Family is important. I regret the lost years and wish things had been different, but I was as much to blame for that as Zakia. With a new baby on the way, life seems to have come full circle for us.”
“Yeah
, and this time you get to change dirty diapers,” she teased.
“Gladly. I missed out on so much with the twins.”
“They are adorable, and they look so much like you.”
“Yep, no guessing who their daddy is for sure.”
“So, is it twins again?”
“Bite your tongue, girl!” He laughed. “We don’t know yet, but it’s possible. How about you?”
“One would be plenty for me to manage, but I don’t know. I have to find a doctor. Haven’t seen one yet as I didn’t want word to get back to Roddy.”
“Talk to Zakia. She likes the doctor she’s seeing.”
“Okay, I’ll do that.”
“I need to go check on the boys. Maybe I’ll take them to the barn with me so Zakia can rest for a while.”
“Do you mind if I grab a book and stay in here?”
“Not at all. Make yourself at home, but don’t forget to lock the door when you leave. Those scamps of mine have already ruined one printer. I don’t want to have to replace another.”
She laughed. “Really? What did they do?”
“Tried to feed it a piece of toast. Everything afterwards came out streaked with grease.”
“Oh, dear! That’s so funny. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to lock up.”
“See you later then. I’ll let Michael know where he can find you.”
He left, closing the door behind him, and she was still chuckling to herself as she crossed the room to pick out a book. She was reading the back cover blurb on a romantic suspense when she detected movement outside the patio doors in her peripheral vision. Alarmed, she ducked and turned, only to relax when she spotted Cal, standing there grinning at her like a fool.
She crossed the room and opened the door, letting in a cold blast of winter wind. “What are you doing out there?”
“Blowing snow out of the walkways. Luke likes to keep all the entrances clear in case of emergency.”
“You look cold. Want to come in and warm up? Luke started the fire a little while ago.”
“Thought you’d never ask.” He grinned and stomped the snow off his boots, then stepped inside. Leaving his boots and gloves on the doormat, he walked over to warm his hands by the fire. “This is nice. How come you’re in here by yourself and not mingling with the family?”
“No particular reason. Luke and I were in here talking and the thought of some peace and quiet appealed to me. I was trying to find a book to read.”
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